hard rock

1981
Queen (band) Greatest Hits

In October, Queen released their first compilation album, titled Greatest Hits , which showcased the group’s highlights from 1974 to 1981. The best-selling album in UK chart history, it is the only album to sell over seven million copies in the UK. As of July 2022, it has spent over…
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ZZ Top El Loco

the October 1981 album El Loco

Cold Chisel Circus Animals

In August 1981 Cold Chisel began work on a fourth studio album, Circus Animals (March 1982), again with Opitz producing.

Def Leppard released on 6 July 1981

The band had by then caught the attention of AC/DC producer Robert John “Mutt” Lange , who agreed to work on their second album, High ‘n’ Dry , released on 6 July 1981.

Grand Funk Railroad The new lineup released two albums on Irving Azoff ‘s Full Moon

The new lineup released two albums on Irving Azoff ‘s Full Moon label, distributed by Warner Bros. Records . These releases included Grand Funk Lives (July 1981) and What’s Funk? (January 1983). Neither album achieved much in the way of critical acclaim or sales; but the single “Queen Bee” was…
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Journey (band) With Cain joining as the new keyboard player, the band entered

With Cain joining as the new keyboard player, the band entered Fantasy Studios in Berkeley, California, in late 1980, releasing their seventh studio album, Escape , in July 1981. Escape became their most successful album, charting at number one in the United States. The album had a clutch of hit…
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Cold Chisel Billboard 200

Nevertheless, the album reached the lower region of the Billboard 200 in July.

Cold Chisel booed off stage

The group were booed off stage after a lacklustre performance in Dayton, Ohio in May 1981 opening for Ted Nugent .

AC/DC North America release of Dirty Deeds

Dirty Deeds Done Dirt Cheap was not released in North America until 2 April 1981, by which time the band were at the peak of their popularity.

Motörhead The band had more chart hits in 1981 with the releases St

The band had more chart hits in 1981 with the releases St. Valentine’s Day Massacre EP, their collaboration with Girlschool which reached No. 5 on the UK Singles Chart in February; the live version of ” Motorhead “, which reached No. 6 on the UK Singles Chart in July; and…
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